Avila Beach

Quest!
Discovery Labs for Homeschool Groups

We are excited to kick off another season of Quest Discovery Labs for homeschool students! Every month has unique themes specifically designed for each age group and engages students through hands-on, inquiry based science learning.
Please review the information below for program details and offerings for the 2024-’25 school year.

Please note that the Central Coast Aquarium may utilize photos of program activities for promotional purposes. No identifiable information will be shared without prior consent. If you have any questions or concerns about our photo policy, please contact us at (805) 457-5357 x2.

Program Information - registration now open!

Onsite Discovery Labs:

  • $15 per student, plus one adult chaperone
  • Programs begin promptly at 10:00AM. Please arrive by 9:45AM for check in.
  • K-2nd grade chaperones are required to accompany their child(ren) for the duration of the program
  • Aquarium exploration time to will be provided at the end of each program

Offsite Discovery Labs:

  • Floating Labs: $40 per passenger (student & adult)
    • Capacity: 25 students, 5 adults
    • 10AM-12PM
  • We will not be visiting the Aquarium at the end of these programs

GRADES K-2

9:45 AM (Check in)   |   10:00 – 10:45 AM (Discovery Lab)

OCEAN ZONES
Did you know that the ocean is over 35,000 ft deep?? Yet even in the ocean’s depths, life abounds! Join us as we learn about different ocean zones and animals from the surface to the deep, plus a fun experiment about density!

SHARK SAVVY (PART 1)
Calling all shark enthusiasts! Join us as we learn about shark’s oily livers and how this helps them maintain neutral buoyancy. Plus shark jaws, skin, teeth, and more!

ROCKY INTERTIDAL
Sea Stars, urchins, snails, and more - come meet our friends from the rocky seashore! Experience up-close encounters with a selection of our touch tank animals and learn about the challenges of being an animal in the intertidal zone.

FASCINATING FISH
What is a fish? How does a fish see, breath, hear, and move underwater? Join us for a fin-tastic introduction to the lives of fish.

PLANKTON - BUOYANCY
Did you know that over ½ of the earth’s oxygen comes from plankton? What would we do without these photosynthesizing super stars? Join us as we learn about how phytoplankton stay near the ocean’s surface in a fun float or sink science experiment.

MARINE MAMMALS - SEA OTTERS
Learn how marine mammals stay warm, move, and communicate underwater. We will be highlighting southern sea otters as a keystone species. Join us for an otter-ly grand time!

SHARK SAVVY (PART 2)
Calling all shark enthusiasts! Join us as we learn about our friendly swell sharks and their biofluorescent skin. Create a take-home swell shark glow craft and experience an up-close encounter with our sharks. Plus shark jaws, skin, teeth, and more!

GRADES 3 - 6

9:45 AM (Check in)   |   10:00 – 11:00 AM (Discovery Lab)   |   10:00 – 12:00 PM (Floating Lab)

SQUID DISSECTION
Ever con-squid-er a dissection? Join us as we dive into the external and internal anatomy of a California Market Squid. Create your own message in squid ink to take as a souvenir!

OCEAN ZONES - HYDROTHERMAL VENTS
Did you know that the ocean is over 35,000 ft deep?? Yet even in the ocean’s depths, life abounds! Deep sea vents are home to an eclectic community of animals. Join us for a deep sea vent demonstration and see what lurks beneath the surface.

SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES
What does it mean to fish sustainably? What happens when we overfish? Come learn about the importance of fishing responsibly and see how fisherfolk of old documented their catch in a take-home fish printing activity.

PLANKTON DISCOVERY
Did you know that over ½ of the earth’s oxygen comes from plankton? These microscopic organisms also play a critical role in ocean food webs. Join us as we take a closer look at plankton samples and learn about their unique adaptations.

AQUARIUM SCIENTISTS
What does a day in the life of an aquarist here at the Central Coast Aquarium look like? Learn how to test water quality and ensure the health of our animals as we take a look behind the scenes into animal husbandry.

FLOATING LAB - AVILA BAY
All aboard! Join us for a morning at sea as we explore the ecology of Avila Bay aboard a 55 foot sportfishing vessel.

  • Program duration: 10am - 12pm
  • Meeting location: 9:45am at the base of the Port San Luis Pier (free parking is available in the boat yard parking lot)
  • Program cost: $40 per passenger (a minimum of 17 passengers required)
  • Student Capacity: 25
  • Adult/Chaperone Capacity: 5 (select “Adult” when registering)
  • What to bring:
    Sun protection and a water bottle! Small bags can be stored in the boat’s dry hold.

FLOATING LAB - AVILA BAY
All aboard! Join us for a morning at sea as we explore the ecology of Avila Bay aboard a 55 foot sportfishing vessel.

  • Program duration: 10am - 12pm
  • Meeting location: 9:45am at the base of the Port San Luis Pier (free parking is available in the boat yard parking lot)
  • Program cost: $40 per passenger (a minimum of 17 passengers required)
  • Student Capacity: 25
  • Adult/Chaperone Capacity: 5 (select “Adult” when registering)
  • What to bring:
    Sun protection and a water bottle! Small bags can be stored in the boat’s dry hold.

GRADES 7 - 12

9:45 AM (Check in)   |   10:00 – 11:15 AM (Discovery Lab)   |   10:00 – 12:00 PM (Floating Lab)

OCEAN CHEMISTRY - ACIDS & BASES
How does increasing atmospheric CO2 impact the ocean? What happens to pH as CO2 rises and what impact does this have on marine organisms? Join us as we dive into acid/base chemistry - get ready to get your inner chemist on!

PLANKTON DISCOVERY
Did you know that over ½ of the earth’s oxygen comes from plankton? These microscopic organisms also play a critical role in ocean food webs. Join us as we take a closer look at plankton samples and learn about their unique adaptations.

SQUID DISSECTION
Ever con-squid-er a dissection? Join us as we dive into the external and internal anatomy of a California Market Squid. Create your own message in squid ink, learn how we prepare our squid to feed our animals, and watch a live leopard shark feeding!

MARINE MAMMALS & PIER WALK
Ever wonder what life would be like as a marine mammal? Join us as we dive into the mysterious lives of cetaceans and pinnipeds and take a walk to the Cal Poly Pier to look for harbor seals!

(Please note, we will be stopping at the viewing platform before the Cal Poly pier, but we are unable to walk along the pier for this program).

SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES & FISH DISSECTION
What does it mean to fish sustainably? What happens when we overfish? Come learn about the importance of fishing responsibly and dive into the external and internal anatomy of a fish through a hands-on dissection! You will be an o-fish-ial fish expert after this class!

FLOATING LAB - AVILA BAY
All aboard! Join us for a morning at sea as we explore the ecology of Avila Bay aboard a 55 foot sportfishing vessel.

  • Program duration: 10am - 12pm
  • Meeting location: 9:45am at the base of the Port San Luis Pier (free parking is available in the boat yard parking lot)
  • Program cost: $40 per passenger (a minimum of 17 passengers required)
  • Student Capacity: 25
  • Adult/Chaperone Capacity: 5 (select “Adult” when registering)
  • What to bring:
    Sun protection and a water bottle! Small bags can be stored in the boat’s dry hold.

*FIELD EXCURSION* - Details coming soon